Feckless

Chapter 4

The cold mattress underneath me wasn't comforting, but I didn't need it to be so as I was already submerged into my own mind too much. I couldn't quite grasp the fact that, not only had she met me there to talk about the book, but she had -technically- asked me out.

To be honest, it had been a while since I had gone out on a date. Not that I forgot how it goes -pick her up, take her out on a romantic dinner/walk/activity, take her back home, kiss her goodnight- but I had never gone out with a girl like her. So pretty and sophisticated, so impressive in her own way. A shooting star at best.

It still took me back, the audacity she wore when she said she wanted to go out with me. I would've never thought I made an impression on her, as I had never thought of myself as interesting. Regardless of that, I felt completely... relieved that she asked me.

I would've never had the courage to ask her. And I would always regret not having the guts to ask her out, but that wouldn't change the fact that I'd be scared out of my mind just at the thought.

It had just occurred to me that I hadn't made the bed in the morning, the reason why the white cotton-like fabric was in contact with my flesh. I didn't know if it had been the rush of getting to the bookstore or if I had just been too lazy to take care of it in the moment. Tiredly, I got up, taking the white paper sheets and navy duvet in my hands, dragging them over the mattress to near perfection. I admired my work for a second, adjusting the edges of the duvet. I took off my shoes then, leaving them on the side before I plopped down on the bed again.

It seemed only seconds before my eyelids started to feel heavy and heavier, pulling me to the tendrils of sleep softly and ever so quickly that I didn't notice when I fell.

*****

"It's good to see you, Liam."

Adam tugged on my arms, taking me in his as he gave me a quick embrace. He was stronger than he knew, as the simple action left me suffocating in his grip.

"How have you been?" he wondered, his arms letting me breath now.

"I've been good. You were right about this place, pretty uneventful." I offered as a response, turning to the fridge to grab two beers.

"It is boring as hell, I'll tell you that. That's why I only come a few times to visit my grandmother; I can't stand it here."

I shook my head at his bitter tone, yet I knew better than to call him mad or angry. That was just the way he talked. Adam could sound happy one minute and highly disturbed the next, but that was how you knew his thoughts on the topic or situation. His voice was the door to his feelings.

"I don't know how you've lasted a week here."

"Five days," I corrected.

"Whatever! I would've gone back to London in 2, 3 days tops." he bellowed jokingly.

I couldn't help but chuckle now, opening his beer and sliding it across the table to him -in a very 'bartendery' kind of way. He caught it before it fell off the table, taking a swig just as he brought the crystal mouth of the bottle to his lips. I opened my own, grabbing it by the neck but not drinking just yet.

"When are you going to see your grandmother?" I inquired. I softly brought the bottle closer, swallowing the liquid as it made its way into my mouth.

"Later today. She invited us to dinner."

The drink seemed to get caught in my throat, leaving me to cough as I tried to regain my breath.

"What do you mean us?"

"She wants to meet you. To be fair, she's never met one of my friends. So when she heard about you, she was kind of relieved to find out that I wasn't... socially awkward," Adam blurted out a little uncomfortably, though I knew it wasn't because he was worried I'd be surprised or mad, but rather because he thought it was a little embarrassing.

"You know, you could've told me sooner," I nagged in a playful manner, a low smirk creeping to my face.

"Just shut up and go change."

*****

"So... you're Liam." Adam's grandmother -Edith- stated. She was average height, her blond hair barely invaded with grey, her face heart-shaped with lines at the corners of her mouth and eyes. Slender and skinny, with a pair of kind hazel eyes, she spoke swiftly and delicately.

"Indeed. It's a pleasure to meet you," I smiled, offering my hand for her to shake. She quickly did, assessing me carefully before looking at her grandson again. The resemblance was incredible; the heart-shaped face, the hazel eyes, same warm smile. I had never met his mother, but I could bet she looked a whole lot like both of them too.

"Pleasure's all mine. Dinner is already served and we don't want it to get cold, now do we?"

"I swear, Liam, my grandmother makes the best food in all of England," Adam gushed as he swung an arm over Edith's shoulders, walking towards what I assumed would be the dining room.

"Oh, don't exaggerate, dear." Edith added modestly.

"But it's true! That's the best part about getting to come here, you know, besides getting to see you."

Edith beamed at her grandson, her cheeks become a light shade of pink just noticeable enough. As we made a turn, I could already get a whiff of the dinner she had previously cooked for us. It was strong, yet fulfilling and intriguing, as to what she had made. My mouth watered quickly, the delicious scent working its way up my nostrils faster now, just a few steps closer.

We took a seat at the table, Edith in the head of it and Adam and myself on either side of her. She served dinner to each and then invited us to eat. Adam didn't even wait to get a second look on to what was on his plate before he dived in, filling his mouth with the heavenly-scented food in front of him. I started to eat as well, sending a grateful smile towards Edith once I had tasted the food. Not only did it smell amazing, but it tasted maybe twice as better as it smelled.

"How are you liking Birchwood, Liam?" Edith spoke up, her lips pulled into a small smile as she continued to eat.

"It's... interesting." I answered after pausing a few moments to think about my words.

"Interesting?" Adam interfered. "That's the last word I would use for it!"

"Does this have to do with a young lady perhaps?" Edith continued to me, sending Adam a discreet watch-your-tone look.

I looked down at my plate, a slight feeling of embarrassment and shyness taking over my features. "Maybe."

"What's her name?" Edith went on to say, making me look up at her in the process. She started eating again, her soft gaze still on me.

"Alex Wright."

Adam turned to look at me, his eyebrows knit in confusion. "You've been seeing a girl?"

"I know the family. They run several business out of town, very successful. But they're very secretive. Only coming out for the right parties, keeping to themselves the rest of the time." Edith informed.

I payed no attention to the way Adam gaped at me, but I looked at Edith with a few questions in mind. "Are you saying I should stop seeing her?"

"I'm saying... be careful."

A/N: Thank you for reading. I'm on spring break, so I'll be able to write a little more on here, and I'm thinking about writing one shots on here too, so I'll work on that.

Please comment and vote.

I hope you liked this new chapter, you just got a first clue on Alex's family.

- Andy .x